“I wanna put my log in your fireplace….” Hot on the heels of their Lick It Up Tour, KISS headed back into the studio to record their next album, 1984’s Animalize. The band’s popularity was growing once again and they needed to put out an album that could keep their name in the magazines, theirContinue reading “The Year Of KISS: Animalize (1984)”
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The Year Of KISS: Lick It Up (1983)
“It ain’t a crime to be good to yourself.” September 18, 1983 will go down in history as one of the most pivotal points in time for KISS. Ace and Peter were gone. Record sales and the band’s popularity were low. Creatures Of The Night failed to give the group a boost despite being anContinue reading “The Year Of KISS: Lick It Up (1983)”
The Year Of KISS: Paul Stanley (1978)
“You keep your love in chains….” Of the four KISS solo albums released in 1978, Paul Stanley is, at least in my opinion, the one that sounds the most like a KISS album. Loaded with power pop and rock, a few Ace-like hooks, and Paul’s voice exploring its range, this album sounds like KISS bothContinue reading “The Year Of KISS: Paul Stanley (1978)”
The Year Of KISS: Gene Simmons (1978)
“I’m burning up with fever….” Of the four solo albums released in 1978 by the members of KISS, Gene Simmons is arguably the most anomalous of the bunch. Sure, Peter Criss’ solo effort strayed the farthest from KISS’ traditional sound, but it was also consistent. Gene’s album was a mishmash of different styles of music.Continue reading “The Year Of KISS: Gene Simmons (1978)”
The Year Of KISS: Peter Criss (1978)
“Vaccinated with a Victrola needle….” In a daring attempt to bring a little bit of sanity back into the world of KISS, Paul, Gene, Peter, and Ace went their separate ways to write, record, and release four solo albums, one for each member of the group. All four of the albums, released on September 18,Continue reading “The Year Of KISS: Peter Criss (1978)”
The Year Of KISS: Ken Kelly, Artist (1946-2022)
Destroyer, Love Gun Cover Artist Passes Away On June 3, 2022, the art world and the rock world lost one of its most iconic creators. Ken Kelly, a sword and sorcery artist who KISS fans know as the cover artist for two of KISS’ most iconic albums: Destroyer and Love Gun. Kelly produced artwork forContinue reading “The Year Of KISS: Ken Kelly, Artist (1946-2022)”
The Year Of KISS: Ace Frehley (1978)
“I hope you suffer…..” KISS was on top of the world in 1978…..at least on the surface. Behind the scenes the band was falling apart. What was really going on with the band? It depends on who you ask. Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley have been accused of being control freaks who tried to bendContinue reading “The Year Of KISS: Ace Frehley (1978)”
The Year Of KISS: Creatures Of The Night (1982)
“Get me out of this rock and roll hell…..” With their popularity spiraling downward at an uncomfortably fast rate, KISS stumbled into a shaky 1982. Ace Frehley’s days in the band were numbered. His battles with alcoholism and drug dependency at the time are well documented in his book, No Regrets, as well as theContinue reading “The Year Of KISS: Creatures Of The Night (1982)”
The Year Of KISS: Music From The Elder (1981)
“I believe in me.” Fans of KISS in the United States felt alienated by the band at the beginning of the 1980’s. Thanks to the pop direction that 1979’s Dynasty and 1980’s Unmasked took, listeners accustomed to a harder sound from the group longed for an album that returned to the band’s hard rock roots.Continue reading “The Year Of KISS: Music From The Elder (1981)”
The Year Of KISS: Unmasked (1980)
“All I want is a little conversation….” KISS entered the 1980’s in a state of flux. Peter Criss was out of the band and Ace Frehley was becoming disenchanted with the direction of the group. Despite this, he soldiered on and wrote two songs, co-wrote a third song, and provided lead vocals for all threeContinue reading “The Year Of KISS: Unmasked (1980)”
Ken's Alternate Universe! 